Jazz to start Raul Neto at point guard in season opener

The Utah Jazz are rolling with a surprise starting point guard for their season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, opting for Brazilian rookie Raul Neto over third-year man Trey Burke.

Though the Jazz have been christened by many as the Western Conference's newest rising power, and a likely playoff participant this spring, they're dealing with a giant question mark at the point guard position.

Presumed starter Dante Exum is likely out for the season due to a torn ACL suffered during international play in the summer, and Burke is a volume shooter who's hit just 37.4 percent of his field-goal attempts in his first two NBA seasons.

Neto, 23, was drafted 47th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 and dealt to Utah on draft night. He spent the last four seasons playing in Spain's Liga ACB, averaging 8.2 points and three assists in 129 games, and though his own jump shot is far from reliable, he's viewed as less of a ball-stopper than Burke.

In seven preseason contests with the Jazz, Neto averaged 4.6 points and 2.6 assists, and shot 41.7 percent from 3-point range.

"It's not like a big deal," he said. "We have 12 players that can play. It doesn't matter who starts or who finishes the game."